My Destined

Chapter 19

Leia

I tossed and turned in bed for what is likely the tenth time this morning with a huff. It's past time to get up and ready for the day, but feeling homesick has dissipated any motivation or energy I had left. Adriel is already off to his office for a meeting with the other neighboring Alphas on a video call, and I don't have any scheduled responsibilities today, so I have stayed in bed. Bad, I know.

"Leia, we need to get up. Let's shift! Maybe that will help you feel better. We can use the sun and a good run." Tala has been encouraging me to get up as gently as she can, but I can feel the itch to get out is making it hard to be patient with me.

"I know, Tala. I miss them, ya know?" Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, threatening to fall as I thought about my last video call with my mom the other day. We haven't talked much since, and I feel like a total baby feeling like this, but I want to see them.

"I miss them too." And I knew it, too. Tala and I are the same; it feels more intense because I feel it in myself and through Tala.

"Hey." I jolted out of my thoughts and turned toward the door where Adriel stood. I must've been lying here moping for a long time if he's already out of his meeting.

"Hi." I smiled weakly toward him, not feeling like myself.

"Everything okay? You haven't left the bed all morning." His voice and eyes were filled with concern, and I nodded slowly. I know he can likely feel that I am not okay, too.

"Yeah, just missing my family. Sorry, it's not like I dislike being here or anything. Just..." I trailed off, not knowing what to say or how to express how I felt.

"I'm sorry, Leia. I know this has been a huge and abrupt change. What can I do to help?"

"I don't know. I think I just need some time." We stared silently at each other for a minute before Adriel walked toward me.

"Okay. I understand. But I think you might feel good doing something you like today." Adriel caressed the side of my face softly with his tanned hand, pushing some of my dark brown hair behind my ear.

"Thanks, Adriel." I smiled again, slightly brighter this time, enjoying the feeling of being cared for by my mate.

"I'll check in on you later, okay?"

After Adriel left, I finally sat up in bed for the first time today. I took a deep breath, trying to clear my head and getting ready to face the day. Tala was right about shifting; we need to take a break.

"Alright, let's do it," I said, forcing a small smile. I stepped out of bed, changed my clothes, and walked into the living room before leaving the front door.

With one last deep breath, I shifted and stretched, remaining hidden as if we needed to be undressed if we didn't want to rip our clothes. I almost forgot how it felt to feel the wind on our fur and the strength in our legs. We started with a trot, feeling our feet pounding over the pavement until we got close to the park I ran from with Nico weeks ago.

We ran until all my worries and pains of missing my home and family lessened. Tala and I ran through the clearing, feeling the cool air and the sun shining on our fur.

"How refreshing!" Tala spoke happily.

Doing this makes me feel better. I know why she wanted us to shift this morning. Tala and I were homesick; she always knew what I needed better than myself.

We stopped for a break when we reached the same clearing with a lake that we came with Adriel; feeling the soft ground under our paws as we lay down calmed my nerves. We looked around until we closed our eyes just to let our senses take in everything - the blowing of the trees, the warmth of the sun, and the sound of the flowing water.